February 3 2023 - St. Blaise - Blessing of throats

 

St. Blaise was a saintly bishop and martyr in the early Church, for this alone he can be honored by the Church. But his notoriety as patron saint of illnesses of the throat came about when he healed a boy who had fish bones stuck in his throat and near death. After this healing miracle, the Bishop was imprisoned because of the Christian persecution.  The boy’s mother brought him food and candles while he was in prison.  This is why candles are used in the throat blessing.

So, after the final blessing of Mass today, you may come up to receive a personal blessing of your throat if you wish.

It is quite fitting though, isn’t it, that we bless throats? This time of the year our throats are susceptible to coughs and colds. The throat is susceptible to other illnesses, some very debilitating and even deadly.

We rightly ask God’s protection of our throats especially for the special role our throats play in our Christian life. We are to use our throats to sing God’s praises every day. We are to use our throats to give encouragement to each other in remaining faithful to Christ. We are to use our throats to spread his Gospel—to build up the Church by proclaiming Christ’s truth.

Scripture, more than once, gives a warning to those whose throats are an open sepulcher. In other words, those who use their throats to pour forth the powers of sin and death into the world. 

The candles which are placed around our throats, as part of the St. Blaise blessing, are to remind us that what comes out of our throats must be the light of Christ.  Yet, the candles are also crossed, to remind us that it is by His holy cross, ultimately, that we are delivered from all evils.  

St. Blaise’s miraculous healing of the young boy was not sorcery or harnessing of occult powers, but was due to the fact that the bishop united his life to Christ, bore his share of the cross of Christ, and became an instrument of Christ’s healing in the world. 

May we do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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To God the Father Almighty we direct the prayers of our heart for the needs and salvation of humanity and the good of His faithful ones.

For the holy Church of God, that the Lord may graciously watch over her, care for her, and aid her in her mission.

During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.

For an increase in the virtue of hope, especially for the hopeless and despairing and for hardened sinners.

For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially X, for whom this mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord